HANDy-est Tip Contest – HANDy Paint Tray

HANDy Paint Tray

With summer coming to an end–meaning the kids are about to go back to school–my projects are about to get tackled! I love this feeling! I feel like I have put off so much and I am finally going to make a difference around my house. Product was received for review purposes and this post may contain affiliate links.

My first step is to paint the kids bathroom. After tearing down 25 year old wallpaper I discovered that the walls are plaster! I was a bit surprised because everywhere else in the house is drywall… Well, the plaster isn’t in the best shape and I’m no expert with installing drywall so my plan is to use Venetian Plaster to give the walls that Tuscan textured look, while hiding all the imperfections.

About Shelley

Mother of two (Adam, 14 and Chesney, 11), successfully divorced--we're really good friends--and just found the RIGHT ones. Graduated Summa Cum Laude from Benedictine University with BS in nutrition science. I love food, fitness, reading, and all things science. I'm the sister that travels.
You can also connect with me on Google+

To help with mildew outdoor furniture after a wet winter storage (especially the glass top tables), spray Scrubbing Bubbles bathroom cleaner, let sit and hose off with firm stream of spray. Only light scrubbing needed in corners or stubborn spots..comes right off! erinnsluka@gmail.com

Vinegar and lemon are the best natural odor/stain remedies , If you have a stubborn stain do not put the item in the dryer (the heat only sets the stain harder) just cut a lemon in half and rub it(rind pulp and all) on the stain then place the item outside to sit in he sun a while until it is dry. Then just toss in the wash. The stain will bleach out with out harming the color of the clothing.

I have used vinegar for years and before I bought my home and was a renter, a few days before I moved into a new place I ALWAYS put straight vinegar in my carpet shampooer and scrubbed all the carpets in the new apartment/house. This will neutralize any odors ESPECIALLY urine that may be there from previous pets or babies lol… We may not be able to smell every thing that is in the carpet but your pets sure can and they will mark the spots they smell. Once the carpet is completely dry the vinegar smell will lift. I always go over the carpet again with a carpet cleaner to make sure that all the dirt and grime is done so that lifts the vinegar smell also. 🙂

My tip – a little prep goes a looong way. Take the time to tape off trim/glass, prep walls, remove switchplates and outlet covers, lay drop cloths and make sure you have everything you need readily at hand (including rags and water or paint thinner for removing errant paint). You’ll spend less time, and get more professional results that way.

My ‘handiest’ home improvement tip is to always use the good blue painting tape, don’t skip because of the cost, it’s worth it and makes life a whole lot easier.
Dana Beeman: danabeeman(at)gmail(dot)com

if it’s a DIY project, take the time to do things right. You’re not a professional, so the project may take a little longer, but you will be saving money and feel a sense of accomplishment at the end. Helpful info can be found in do it yourself books, the internet, and home improvement store classes.

Make sure you watch your husband when he starts painting. Those “little spots” on the ceiling that he “will cover with trim”… well lets just say it’s been about a year and they’re still there! Oh and most paint speckles and drips will come off with soap and water off a hard surface (tile, wood) even paint that’s been there for awhile for those new homeowners.

don’t put things off! painting one room is way easier than coordinating painting all the bedrooms. Repainting often triggers redoing other things in a given room and that moves simple way over into complicated and expensive range.

Make a mural of your kids by using photoshopping your kid into a silhouette and printing it out. Then use an overhead projector (library, school) to trace the outline. Voila! A custom mural for your wall 🙂

If you are patching holes or cracks and you use spackle (drywall mud) use the joint knife to get it as smooth as you can and then after it drys use a damp sponge and wipe over it to smooth it the rest of the way. This prevents you from having to sand the bumps off your wall!.

I actually just finished painting the entire interior of my home. My most helpful tip is to not waste the time meticulously masking window panes with tape. It is so much easier and less time-consuming to just scrape the excess paint off the glass with a razor after it has dried.

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Some blogs posts include Royalty Free Images from Can Stock Photo.

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